Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

What Chiefs may do to replace suspended Willie Gay Jr.

By Thomas Huitt-Johnson | Last updated 9/20/22

On Monday afternoon, the NFL dealt the Kansas City Chiefs a big blow when it suspended linebacker Willie Gay Jr., effective immediately.

Gay was suspended for his arrest in January on a charge of misdemeanor property damage.

#Chiefs LB Willie Gay Jr. was suspended without pay for the next four games for a violation of the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy.

Gay Jr. is eligible to return to the Chiefs’ active roster on Monday, Oct. 17 following the team’s Week 6 game vs. Buffalo. https://t.co/Gi1XuVtcaV
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 19, 2022

Gay, who was off to a terrific start, is the second young defensive starter who will miss at least four games for Kansas City. Before the Week 2 win against the Los Angeles Chargers, the team placed rookie and first-round pick Trent McDuffie, a cornerback, on injured reserve.

The likely choice to fill Gay's spot is third-round pick Leo Chenal, but the Chiefs could plug in veteran Darius Harris. The team activated undrafted free agent Jack Cochrane and also have special-teamer Elijah Lee, who practiced with the No. 1 unit throughout training camp.

Against the Chargers, rookie Jaylen Watson filled in for McDuffie, and the seventh-round pick scored the winning touchdown on a 99-yard interception return.

Playing alongside second-year linebacker Nick Bolton, Gay Jr. helped the Chiefs slow star quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Justin Herbert in back-to-back games.

Against the Chargers, Gay finished with 11 tackles and two passes defensed. Gay won't return until the Chiefs play San Francisco in Week 7.

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